How to Rid a Home of Pantry Moths or Weevils
Bugs in your flour and cornmeal? Suspect pantry moths or weevils. The first line of defense is good housekeeping. Moths and weevils don't like clean surroundings so to protect your pantry you should try to minimize keeping food out that is accessible to these bugs.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Airtight Containers
- Hand Towels
- Dish Soap
- Cannister Vacuum Cleaners
- Kitchen Sponges
-
-
1
Check for infestation. Examine all food packages for telltale signs of moth or weevil infestation: Webbing in corners, grains clumped together with sticky secretions, or small holes in containers. Also look for small bugs in the food or little moths flying around the kitchen. If you find them, read on.
-
2
Clean infested areas. Vacuum cupboards, then thoroughly scrub all shelves with soapy water, paying close attention to cracks and corners. Dry the cleaned area thoroughly. Keep cupboard and food-storage areas dry.
-
3
Discard infested food.
-
4
Store food properly. Clean containers with hot, soapy water, then rinse and dry them thoroughly before refilling. Use tightly sealed metal, glass or hard plastic containers to store food; plastic bags are inadequate, as insects can get through them. Keep old and new food separate, and keep infrequently used items in the freezer.
-
5
Eliminate the pests' food sources (such as improperly stored food) and breeding grounds (such as rodent nests).
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Pantry moth larvae eat a wide assortment of foods, ranging from flour to dried chiles and candy.
It takes six to eight weeks for the pantry moth to complete its life cycle.
Do not use pesticides in or around any area where food is prepared or on food itself.
Related Searches
Comments
-
Weevils can eat thru cardboard & plastic. When you first purchase your flour, freeze it for a week, then keep it stored in frig along with beans, grains, & corn meal. Try to purchase glass storage for ceareals to prevent infestation & do not buy in bulk. Also weevils can get inside of spices. Try to use these within a few months & do not keep for too long period of time. Periodically, wipe down pantry shelves with vinegar & place bay leaves in the corners. You can also place bay leaves in the containers holding the food items.
-
Should I leave the pantry door open or close. Will that help also in keeping the little black bugs out.
-
Lori Stickle
Feb 26, 2011
I also read that you can clean the affected area as above and make a homemade paste to kill them and keep them away. Take one part water and three parts borax, mix together into a thick paste. Place jar or bottle lids upside down in your cupboards full of this paste and it kills and repells the cupboard moths. -
angielene
Sep 18, 2010
I don't think I will ever be rid of them. They move from room to room. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
-
pattyjoel
Oct 12, 2009
OMG...in every hole (over 30 of them) we found nests of eggs. They would lay the eggs, hatch and escape out the back of our pantry ( a layer existed between the pantry and our wall) and fly out from behind the refrigerator. We cleaned every hole, puttied them in and have pulled out the refrigerator every week for the last three weeks. So far, we are moth free. We have three traps on top of the refrigerator...we have not seen a moth yet. I pray we are moth-free.
